Mauritius

It’s been quite a soft landing, arriving in Mauritius first. There are hardly any bugs to speak of — no creepy crawlies, slitherers or biters of any kind - nothing with not enough legs and not too many legs if you know what I mean — that will change as soon as I land in Madagascar and mainland Africa.

The main language is creole and officially was last a colony of the UK and they drive on the wrong side of the street to prove it, however, everyone speaks French (not English) - Bon jour! - so it’s a tad confusing. There are in equal measure Mosques, Catholic churches, Hindu, and Buddhist temples. They just had an election while I was here and while the locals shrug their shoulders and wonder if the winners will do what they said they would do — there certainly hasn’t been any hint of storming the capital let’s say.

The thing that has hit me the most I just can’t get over is the color of the water. The different greens aquamarines and turquoises leave me AGog every day. if there’s a mature Ariel the mermaid casting, please let me know. I’m in the water as much as possible. The water looks different with my polarized sun glasses and I have done nothing to change the color from my iPhone photos.

I’ve also had the luxury of being in the proximity of cousin Eric and Adrian for the last three weeks. Not always at the same hotel but neighbors to be sure and consistent happy hours. We rented a car for six days and Eric is the best chauffeur and Adrian the best navigator. We’ve explored most of the island that really only takes about an hour to get from end to end. We have split our time staying on the north side and now the south side. Adrian likes to take photos and is a great itinerary planner and Eric likes to relax so I explore with Adrian and chill with Eric.

Been a luxury to only sleep in three places over the course of three weeks. I rarely do that in California.

More Mauritius reflections:

There aren’t too many sidewalks, but they do observe crosswalks with a reverence that San Francisco could only dream about. Well- maintained gutters 2 feet deep and one feet across reflect a rainy season I am happy to miss.

They are moped helmet wearing, climate change awareness mural making, non-single use plastic bag shoppers. They employ beach sweepers and french string bikinis exist alongside full Burka cover-up swimming costumes.

Too bad Dodo No mo, but they’ve done pretty well with other species.

Extremely well marked taxis, the soft glow of sugarcane fields burning at night in the distance (except for the first time when I wondering if Grand Baie was aflame).

There are surprisingly few smells in this tropical place where black mold on concrete is de rigueur. And no photos reflect the feel of the air on your skin, the different breezes - running the gamut from none to gusty. Street level can be still but palm fronds can simultaneously dance wildly. It can be gentle on your skin, then sweat beads gracefully appear all over you, and then a breeze comes and cools you down. Never too humid, at times not at all. A few days impacted slightly by cyclone Bheki – and I still slept with doors and windows open (shout out to the few bugs). Few puddles on the floor, which dry quickly.

My physiological stress levels hasn’t been this low since I started wearing an Oura ring years ago. Feeling still and quiet inside — it’s been a minute — as I like to say. I’ve gone days without Wi-Fi and very often don’t carry my phone with me.

And yes, I know they have their qualities, but it’s funny to see garlic hair oil and onion shampoo. When I asked the gal in a fully stocked grocery store where the coconut oil is she said it was with the lotions and was very surprised to learn that you could cook with it — In a land where the Botanical Gardens have > 100 types of palm trees.

OMG almost forgot the giant fruit bats.

I’m heading to Madagascar for two weeks of exploring and trekking then Kenya (Daraja!) and then I’m still TBD - open to January suggestions.